There was a new report on NBC that rears its head in just about every cycle. It usually centers around Churches that affiliate with political movements.
The progressive watchdog group Documented has targeted churches that participate in Turning Point.
According to the report by the group, the intense partnership between right-wing activist group Turning Point Action and evangelical churches to boost Republican turnout has stirred a complex legal storm, and some experts believe it could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of these congregations. Since March, Turning Point has held “Super Chase” events at more than 20 churches in key swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Wisconsin. With church members trained to use Turning Point’s digital tools to identify and target Republican-leaning voters, the events are raising concerns over church involvement in partisan activities—a move that many legal experts argue violates the Johnson Amendment.
The Johnson Amendment, introduced in 1954, prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. While churches have traditionally participated in nonpartisan activities, such as voter registration and providing transportation to polling stations, Turning Point’s tactics, according to former IRS official Philip Hackney, represent a leap into uncharted territory. NBC News stated that Hackney claimed these actions go beyond previous church efforts by involving congregations directly in partisan voter outreach—a practice largely avoided by religious organizations to maintain their nonprofit status.
Notre Dame law professor Lloyd Mayer echoed Hackney’s concerns, saying that organizing voters explicitly to support a political party crosses a line. He noted that while the IRS rarely revokes tax exemptions over political activity, the agency can issue warnings or conduct audits, emphasizing that churches risk violating federal tax law. But Turning Point representatives, downplaying these risks, have reportedly reassured pastors that legal repercussions are unlikely. Schayden Gorai, a Turning Point representative, claimed there’s “never been an instance in history” of a church losing tax-exempt status over politics, a stance criticized by Mayer and other legal experts.
This strategy has drawn ire not only for the potential legal breaches but also for pushing the boundaries of separation between church and state. Turning Point’s founder, Charlie Kirk, has been vocal in his belief that conservative politics are integral to Christian values, encouraging pastors to mobilize congregations in support of Donald Trump. Rallying the church community into what Kirk calls “the largest ballot-chasing army in GOP history,” this movement uses sophisticated data-driven methods—like apps with resident profiles based on voting history—to ensure that volunteers contact only those likely to support Republican candidates.
Never mind the fact that Fani Willis and Kamala Harris have taken part in church services through the campaign.
You pretty much get the gist that next up on the list is to go after are churches.
